Following the success of the first edition of the EU Green Awards, nominations are now open for the 2nd edition, which will close on May 14, 2023.

The EU Organic Awards recognize different excellent actors along the organic value chain who have developed an innovative, sustainable and inspiring project that results in real added value for organic food production and consumption. The awards ceremony will take place in Brussels on September 25, 2023.

The EU Organic Awards are jointly organized by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe, with the support of the European Parliament and the Council. Eight prizes will be awarded in seven categories:

Best organic farmer
Best organic region
Best organic city
Best organic “bio-district
Best organic food processing SME
Best organic food retailer
Best organic restaurant/food service

Any EU actor or institution along the organic value chain that falls into the above categories with a noteworthy project contributing to increased affordability and/or accessibility of organic products in the EU can apply. Applications are accepted in all official EU languages. They will be evaluated on the criteria of excellence, innovation, sustainability and replicability of the project elsewhere in the EU. The winners will contribute to increased public awareness of organic production in the EU.

According to the latest Eurobarometer, public recognition of the EU organic farming logo is increasing, with 61% of Europeans now indicating that they are aware of it. The proportion of EU farmland devoted to organic farming has also increased by more than 50% over the period 2012-2020, with an annual increase of 5.7%, according to the latest market report published by the European Commission.

By producing high quality food with low environmental impact, organic farming plays an essential role in the development of a sustainable food system for the EU. In 2021, the European Commission adopted an action plan in support of the target of achieving at least 25% of EU farmland under organic farming by 2030 and a significant increase in organic aquaculture set out in the Farm to Fork strategy and the Biodiversity strategy. In this context, Member States were asked to set national values for the organic farming target and to be ambitious in general on organic production in their CAP Strategic Plans and national organic action plans.

Source: Bioactual